Meaning of UP in English

UP

I. ˈəp adverb

Etymology: partly from Middle English up upward, from Old English ūp; partly from Middle English uppe on high, from Old English; both akin to Old High German ūf up and probably to Latin sub under, Greek hypo under, hyper over — more at over

Date: before 12th century

1.

a.

(1) : in or into a higher position or level ; especially : away from the center of the earth

(2) : from beneath the ground or water to the surface

(3) : from below the horizon

(4) : upstream 1

(5) : in or into an upright position

sit up

especially : out of bed

b. : upward from the ground or surface

pull up a daisy

c. : so as to expose a particular surface

2. : with greater intensity

speak up

3.

a. : in or into a better or more advanced state

b. : at an end

your time is up

c. : in or into a state of greater intensity or excitement

d. : to or at a greater speed, rate, or amount

prices went up

e. : in a continual sequence : in continuance from a point or to a point

from third grade up

at prices of $10 and up

up until now

4.

a.

(1) : into existence, evidence, prominence, or prevalence

(2) : into operation or practical form

b. : into consideration or attention

bring up for discussion

5. : into possession or custody

6.

a. : entirely , completely

button up your coat

b. — used as an intensifier

clean up the house

7. : in or into storage : by

lay up supplies

8.

a. : so as to arrive or approach

b. : in a direction conventionally the opposite of down:

(1) : to windward

(2) : northward

(3) : to or at the top

(4) : to or at the rear of a theatrical stage

9. : in or into parts

10. : to a stop — usually used with draw, bring, fetch, or pull

11. : for each side

the score is 15 up

II. adjective

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : risen above the horizon

the sun is up

b. : standing

c. : being out of bed

d. : relatively high

the river is up

was well up in her class

e. : being in a raised position : lifted

windows are up

f. : being in a state of completion : constructed, built

g. : having the face upward

h. : mounted on a horse

a new jockey up

i. : grown above a surface

the corn is up

j.

(1) : moving, inclining, or directed upward

the up escalator

(2) : bound in a direction regarded as up

2.

a.

(1) : marked by agitation, excitement, or activity

(2) : positive or upbeat in mood or demeanor

b. : being above a former or normal level (as of quantity or intensity)

attendance is up

the wind is up

c. : exerting enough power (as for operation)

sail when steam is up

d. : ready ; specifically : highly prepared

e. : going on : taking place

find out what is up

3.

a. : risen from a lower position

men up from the ranks

b. : being at the same level or point

did not feel up to par

c.

(1) : well informed : abreast

up on the news

(2) : being on schedule

up on his homework

d. : being ahead of one's opponent

4.

a. : presented for or undergoing consideration

contract up for negotiation

also : charged before a court

up for robbery

b. : being the one whose turn it is

you're up next

•

- up against

- up to

III. preposition

Date: 1509

1.

a. — used as a function word to indicate motion to or toward or situation at a higher point of

went up the stairs

b. : up into or in the

was hid away up garret — Mark Twain

2.

a. : in a direction regarded as being toward or near the upper end or part of

lives a few miles up the coast

walked up the street

b. : toward or near a point closer to the source or beginning of

sail up the river

3. : in the direction opposite to

sailed up the wind

IV. noun

Date: 1536

1. : one in a high or advantageous position

2. : an upward slope

3. : a period or state of prosperity or success

4. : upper III

5. : a fundamental quark that has an electric charge of +2/3 and that is one of the constituents of a nucleon